Bridgestone Corporation, the title sponsor of the world’s premier solar car race—the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) in Australia—supplied tyres equipped with ENLITEN technology, featuring over 65 per cent recycled and renewable materials. This marks the first time Bridgestone has applied recovered carbon black and recycled steel to BWSC tyres, which were developed and produced through collaboration with partners. In addition to reducing the number of tyres used during the event, implementing low-carbon logistics, and promoting post-use recycling, Bridgestone evolved its sustainability efforts across the entire BWSC tyre value chain. Teams equipped with ENLITEN technology tyres claimed victory in both the Challenger and Cruiser classes.Raw Materials & ProcurementBridgestone increased the ratio of recycled and renewable materials to over 65 per cent through co-creation with partners.Recovered Carbon Black: Through collaboration with ENEOS Corporation, Bridgestone has advanced the development of precise pyrolysis technology to recover materials such as carbon black from end-of-life tyres. For the first time, recovered carbon black produced at the Bridgestone Innovation Park in Tokyo was adopted for BWSC tyres.Recycled Steel: Bridgestone utilised end-of-life tyres collected at the Bridgestone Tyre Recycle Center Osaka Corporation to produce recycled steel using electric furnaces at Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd. The steel was then rolled and heat-treated by Nippon Steel Corporation into bead wire, a tyre reinforcement material, and adopted for BWSC tyres for the first time.DevelopmentBy adopting ENLITEN, Bridgestone’s base technology for product design, the company delivered advanced tyres customised to meet the specific performance requirements of solar cars, including low rolling resistance, lightweight construction, and enhanced wear performance. These tyres helped maximise vehicle performance under the extreme conditions of the BWSC, contributing to safe and reliable long-distance driving over approximately 3,000 km.In addition, Bridgestone incorporated Twaron Next, a new aramid material with circular content developed by Teijin Aramid, further advancing the environmental performance of its products and contributing to sustainability.Production & LogisticsBridgestone utilised DHL’s GoGreen Plus solution for transporting BWSC tyres. By using sustainable marine fuel, the company achieved a reduction of up to 85 per cent in CO2 emissions across the entire fuel lifecycle, from production to usage, realising low-carbon transportation.Use & RecyclingImproved wear resistance of ENLITEN tyres extended the driving range, reducing the number of tyres supplied per team from 24 to 16. Furthermore, through collaboration with Australia-based RubberGem, end-of-life tyres are planned to be recycled into new high-quality rubber flooring for farms worldwide.Empowering a 3,000 km Endurance JourneyTeams equipped with Bridgestone’s ENLITEN technology tyres won both the Challenger and Cruiser classes. This marks the third consecutive victory in the Challenger class since 2019 and the fourth consecutive win in the Cruiser class since 2017 for Bridgestone-equipped teams. Through its support of the BWSC, Bridgestone is committed to being essential to the future of mobility by accelerating innovation and nurturing the next generation of engineers.Comments from Winning Teams and Bridgestone ExecutiveChallenger Class Winner: Elias Wawoe - Brunel Solar Team “The last time we won the BWSC was eight years ago, and since then, we have been working toward becoming world champion again. The Bridgestone tyres performed exceptionally well, especially in terms of wear resistance, supporting our journey to victory. The BWSC tyres were a great example of accelerating sustainability; through the event, these efforts were showcased. What we try to show is the combination of innovation and striving for a sustainable future.”Cruiser Class Winner: Kelvin To – VTC Solar Car Team “We have been working on the BWSC for more than ten years, and winning this competition means a lot to us. Our students from engineering and design put classroom skills into the real-life 3,000km project of the BWSC. We take part to showcase the latest technology in renewable energy and be part of the force that drives into a sustainable future. Bridgestone tyres were very reliable—no punctures over sand, pebbles, and potholes—and they helped us save a lot of energy throughout the trip.”Bridgestone E8 Commitment Award Winner: Joel Pitts - Iron Lions Solar Car Team “We are truly humbled to receive the Bridgestone E8 Commitment Award. Our students and teachers set a goal to build a world-class solar car that would qualify and compete in the Challenger Class. This recognition affirms our commitment and drive to become world-class solar teams.”Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, responsible for Global Motorsports, Bridgestone Corporation “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the teams, team staff, families, organisers, and the many volunteers who contributed to the success of the BWSC. It was truly inspiring to witness the passion of everyone involved come together to create such a remarkable event. We are proud that our tyres equipped with ENLITEN technology supported not only the winning teams but many others throughout the challenge. As both a tyre supplier and the title sponsor, Bridgestone remains committed to supporting the realisation of sustainable mobility and the development of future engineers and leaders through the BWSC.”“With passion, we continue to challenge the limits together with the teams and aim to apply the innovations born in this ‘mobile laboratory’ to future sustainable global motorsports activities.”